champion

The word “champion” means the winner of a competition, especially the current title-holder. In plain terms, someone (or something) that wins, or a person who fights for or actively supports a cause.

“Champion” is pronounced CHAM-pee-uhn (/ˈt͡ʃæm.pi.ən/ in IPA).

Here is “champion” used in a sentence: “She became the world champion after three grueling rounds.”

Depending on how it is used, “champion” can be a noun, a verb and an adjective.

The word “champion” comes from Medieval Latin. From Old French champion, from Medieval Latin campio ("combatant in single combat"), ultimately from Latin campus ("field," as in a battlefield).

“Champion” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Champion” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the winner of a competition, especially the current title-holder.

Every champion is a winner, but not every winner is a champion. A winner has come first in a single contest. A champion holds a title — the top place in a league, tournament or sport, often as the current, reigning title-holder. Champion carries a sense of overall or lasting supremacy.

Yes. Beyond the sporting winner, a champion can be someone who defends or actively supports a cause or person — a 'champion of human rights', for example. As a verb, to champion something means to fight for or promote it. Both senses share the idea of standing at the front and prevailing.

In a contest, the opposite of the champion is the loser, or more specifically the runner-up who finishes just behind in second place. Figuratively, the opposite of a champion of a cause is an opponent or critic who works against it. Context decides which contrast is meant.

A boxer who holds the world heavyweight title is the reigning champion until someone beats them. A football club that wins its league is the season's champion. Outside sport, a campaigner celebrated as a champion of the environment is one who leads and fights for that cause.